Top 10 2013 MLS MVP Candidates

2. Will Johnson, Portland Timbers

Johnson emerged as the Timbers' captain after being acquired in the offseason from Real Salt Lake, and he has been a force in Portland's dominant midfield all season. Johnson has been a main spark in the club's surge from also-ran to playoff contender under first-year manager Caleb Porter. Johnson has doubled his previous career-high in goals, tallying six times, while bringing his element of tenacity and leadership to the table. The Canadian international was rewarded with a start in the MLS All-Star Game as a result, and his absence due to a shoulder injury has been quite glaring considering Portland's recent slight dip in form without him.

Top 10 2013 MLS MVP Candidates

With MLS entering the final two months of the season, MVP candidacies will either flourish or fall short in crunch time. With so many teams having a chance to claim the Supporters' Shield and 10 playoff berths, the league's parity extends beyond the standings and into the MVP race as a result. There is no runaway candidate like 27-goal scorer Chris Wondolowski last season, and a number of players could lay claim to the top individual honor in 2013, which will ultimately be decided in the home stretch. Here are the top candidates with exactly two months remaining in the regular season.